umwad project newsletter october 2010

8/13/2019 UMWAD Project Newsletter October 2010

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Sa Istrukturang Accessible,

Lahat ay Able (With Accessible

Structures, Everyone is Able). As

the theme of this years NDPR week

celebration, emphasis is again made

on the importance of making physical

structures accessible. This is nothing

new since as early as 1983, an

Accessibility Law (BP 344) was already

passed to enhance the mobility of

persons with disabilities (PWD) by

requiring buildings and public utilities

to install accessible features. There

has been considerable progress since

then but many structures including

government offices have remained

inaccessible which pose as barriers to

the participation of PWD in society.

Why is this so? There is a long

list of reasons for this but one of the

most basic is that during the planning

and design phase of a structure, we

often tend to forget to include PWD

as one of the legitimate users. The

realization only sits in when a PWD

tries to use the facili ty and end up not

being able to use it or when a regular

user of that structure experiences

some form of disability and cannot

anymore use the facility because it is

not accessible.

So what can we do? We should

go back to basics and make sure that

PWD are really included in our plans

and not just treated as add-ons.

After all, accessibility is a

right! And you can do your share to

make sure that PWD get it so they

can continue their march towards

inclusion. [J. Rom]

Lauan, Antique, July 2010. A grandmother on a wheelchair cradles her grand daughter as she

is pushed by her husband during the PWD march in Laua-an in celebration of the National

Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week

Photo by Peter Songcayawon


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BY CINDY BLASURCA

The NDPR Week Celebration highlight in Laua-an was

held on July 19 participated by 221 PWD and their families,

Association of PWD in Laua-an (APILA) officers, CBR workers

and LGU officials.

Municipal engineer May Chierel Mustacho gave the keynotespeech. The program was hosted by CBR Coordinator Delia

Espenido. Mayor Baladjay, Vice-Mayor Necor, SB Baldestamon

and some department heads were also present.

All the ocials who spoke during the acvit expressed

their full support to the CBR Program and to APILA.

APILA ocers and CBR workers facilitated games such as

wheel chair race and dance contest that were very much enjoyed

by PWD and their families. They also distributed bookmarks as

informaon and communicaon materials and displaed acvit

pictures and accessibility documents as part of awareness-

raising.

The municipality of Barbaza held its NDPR Week highlight on

Jul 20 at the municipal covered court parcipated b 140 PWDand their families, Day Care workers and Mayor Faith Francisco.

There were 61 persons who joined the parade around the town

square. Aer the preliminaries, Maor Francisco inducted the

newl elected DPO ocers and gave her message of support to

the DPO and CBR team. She also thanked HI for its support and

the CBR team for working hard.

The CBR team presented their play on the entry of CBR

in the municipality. The plot unfolds as they interpret the song

Maghinta Ka Lamang with the transformaon of a person

with speech impairment to become one that is empowered and

included in the society. Elmar Villaganas, HI Prosthesis Technician,

shared informaon on the referral sstem for prosthesis clients.

Cindy Blasurca, HI Community Organizer, also gave a short

message on the NDPR theme menoning the 4 elements of

accessibility reach, enter, circulate, and use and some CBR

principles that include empowerment, inclusion, self-advocacy,

equal opportunies, accessibilit and sustainabilit.

There were also acvies intended to promote inclusion and

camaraderie among PWD. There were singing contest, longest

line, wheelchair race, funn walking and dance compeon.

Everyone had genuine fun and the event kindled the hope in their

hearts that the PWD sector is given the aenon it deserves b

the LGU and other development groups.

BY JONATHAN LUMOGDANG

The UMWAD Project through Local Government Units and Dis-

abled Peoples Organizaons is in process to conduct an organizaonal

capability assessment (OCA) of each DPO. It is designed to assess their

performance as well as their capacies in carring out projects and ac-

vies and eecve advocates of their rights. The OCA is an approach

to be more responsive to the organizaonal and project needs of the

DPO.

Under this strategy, we endeavour to provide baseline informa-

on needed to develop strengthening capacies of DPO to implement

projects. It will serve as a learning tool for DPO and project team to

deepen the understanding of the mission of the organizaon.

OCA consists of 4 ke areas of concerns, namel: DPO involve

ment in the local governance, DPO organizaonal project manage

ment capability, lobbying and advocacy of human rights, and DPO in

stuonal autonom. All these are being targeted for assessment and

development of possible capabilit-building intervenons.

Individual DPO in all covered municipalies will be visited for a

sit down meeng with the ocers starng November this ear. This ac

vit will facilitate in determining the organizaonal capabilit building

needs of the dierent DPO. A series of training programs for DPO wil

be idened and hopefull, a pilot test of this approach will be started

in December 2010. A parcipator approach will be adopted in the

course of the project implementaon.

DPO OCA IN PROCESS

Newly elected DPO ofcers of Barbaza with Mayor Faith Francisco (rightmosafter the induction ceremonies

The CBR team of Laua-an pose in front of their CBR photo exhibit.

The CBR team of Barbaza was in full force during the NDPR celebration.

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APILA and Barbaza DPO celebrate NDPR Week

APILA members, CBR team, and supporters of PWD in Laua-an assemble before the yearly

parade in celebration of the NDPR week.


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Participants of the NDPR celebration in San Dionisio pose after the activity.Children with disabilities took center-stage in the NDPR Celebration in Batad.

The Municipalit of Batad again parcipated in the annual cel-

ebraon of the NDPR Week b showcasing the talents and oering

enjoment to persons with disabilies in the municipalit last Jul 21

at the Municipal Covered Gymnasium. To grace the event, Dr. NenethPador, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Ocer (PSWDO)

discussed this year s NDPR theme. Also, Mr. Jasper Rom, Project Man-

ager of Handicap Internaonal shared an inspiring stor of Tata Jose,

one of the DPO leaders of Batad who was awarded as one of the 10

Outstanding PWD in Iloilo. He also challenged the PWD to work hard

on their long journey towards autonomy.

More than 150 people aended the weeklong acvit. The Bat-

ad Persons with Disabilies Organizaon (BPWDO) spearheaded the

celebraon in cooperaon with the MSWDO, CBR team, and the local

government ocials of Batad.

AT the closing of the Naonal Disability

Prevenon and Rehabilitaon (NDPR) Week

celebraon last July, 10 outstanding persons with

disabilies were given recognion for the signicantroles they have played in society.

A speech from Councilor Jerey Ganzon

during the closing ceremony reminds us how

special each one of us is. According to the Book of

Genesis, which tells of the creaon of Earth, man

is special. Man is the only creature who can dream

and reach for the stars. Such underscores the

contribuon of PWD and how they are integrated in

the mainstream. These outstanding PWD are proof

of their courage as well as of their being equal and

at par with the rest of the people.

The NDPR celebraon may have ended last

July but the recognion of the presence of persons

with disabilies connues.

Jasper Rom of Handicap Internaonal spoke

of the importance of accessibility for PWD in orderfor them to be empowered. Despite the barriers

of society, some PWD have achieved so much. How

much more if this society is very much inclusive?

In the UN Convenon on the Rights of PWD, it was

stressed that disability happens if PWD interact with

the environment that is not inclusive. Thus, if the

environment is the one that makes things accessible

for these individuals, the impact of disability is

minimized.

The NDPR Weeks theme was Sa istrukturang

accessible, lahat ay able. How true!Source: News arcle b Kath Villalon from The News Toda,

August 6, 2010.

NDPR week closes

Municipality of Batad Joinsthe NDPR Week Celebration

Concepcion holds their NDPR Week Celebration 2010

San Dionisio celebrates 2010 NDPR Week

By: JAyROSE PLANA

The Local Government Unit of San Dionisio celebrated the NDPR

Week on July 23, 2010. The NDPR week was celebrated annually in pursuant

to Proclamaon No. 1870 issued in June 22, 1979 which aimed to integrate

PWD into the mainstream of society and highlight government eorts to-

wards the prevenon of the causes of disability and rehabilitaon.

The celebraon was spearheaded by the Municipal Social Welfare

and Development Oce (MSWDO) in partnership with San Dionisio Per-

sons with Disabilies Organizaon (SANDPWDO). In order to highlight the

municipalitys eorts towards disability prevenon and rehabilitaon, vari-

ous acvies were conducted that include photo exhibits, parade, slogan

making and other contests parcipated by PWD from the 29 barangays of

the municipality. A total of 160 PWD, CBR workers, local & barangay ocials

and employees aended the weeklong celebraon.

The Municipality of Concepcion joined the naon in celebrang

the NDPR Week last July 22, 2010. It started with a foot parade followed by

a variety of games and acvies parcipated by the PWD coming from the

mainland and islands of Concepcion. Prizes and gis were given to the win-

ners who excelled in the dierent contests.

Taking the lead in the celebraon is the Associaon of Disabled Per -

sons in Concepfcion, Inc. (ADPCI) , a disabled peoples organizaon (DPO) that

promotes the rights and development of the PWD in the municipality. Theparcipants were PWD members, LGU and barangay ocials and other line

agencies.

Bobby Pahayahay (rightmost in blue) of

Concepcion, is about to receive his award as oneof the Ten Outstanding PWD of Iloilo from OPDA

head Dolores Laudenorio (center o n wheelchair).

Jose Bajada of Batad was also one of the

awardees and was represented by his wife (behind

Laudenorio)

ADPCI members led the parade during the NDPR Celebration in Concepcion.


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To Bobby Pahayahay, lifes chal-

lenges can be overcome thru sheer

hard work. Despite his physical im-

pairment, Bobby is a dynamo who

just refuses to budge even in the face

of adversity.

Born in Narra, Palawan, Bobby

transferred to Concepcion, Iloilo with

his family when he was 9 years old.

Braving through bouts with malaria andrheumac heart disease which had him

bedridden for 6 ears, Bobb deed

the odds by overcoming these adversi-

es and connuing his schooling and

later on taking up courses in Fishery

and Electrical Technology at NIPSC. In

1994, Bobb was elected as president of

the PWD associaon of Concepcion and

has since become one of the recognized

leaders of PWD in his municipality. He

was later appointed as CBR coordinato

of Concepcion and has been instrumen

tal in the implementaon of CBR acvi

es and in providing support to his fel

low PWD.

His connuing contribuon to mak

ing the lives of PWD beer was also recognized across the province of Iloilo as he

was awarded as one of the outstanding

Ilonggos with disabilies for 2010. Bobb

now sits as one of the Board of Director

in the Federaon of Civil Societ Organi

zaon and Peoples Organizaon in the

municipality of Concepcion.

Dont ever lose your self-

condence, forfy your determinaon so

that you will realize your dream. Let us

ght for our rights for the beerment of

our life. Such are the inspiring words from

Corazon Dalumpines, president of the

Associaon of Persons with Disabilies in

Laua-an, Anque and outgoing barangaycaptain of Barangay Liya-liya.

Corazon started as member of

the NGO - Hublag Evelio in 1987 whose

aim was to educate people on how to

participate in community activities

and how to improve as livelihood.

She was later chosen as leader of the

organization and used If others can do

it, why cant I battlecry to meet the

challenge of leading the organization.

Their organization was later renamed

as Liya-liya multi-purpose cooperative

with her as chairperson.

While expanding their

cooperative, she became interested in

local governance and held the barangay

secretar position from 1989-1993 andin 1997 was voted as baranga captain

of Liya-liya.

Among the notable awards she

received are outstanding community

leader, empowered woman, gender

advocate, outstanding public official,

and exemplary performance in the field

of social services and environmental

protection.

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Bobby does a presentation

on the barriers faced by

persons with disabilities


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Proposed Project: Backard Veg-etable Gardening. The proposed small

scale livelihood project BackyardVegetable Gardening aims to helpPWD and their families secure theirfood source and lessen the difficultyexperienced by low-earning PWD andtheir families with the idea of provid-ing means of livelihood to increasetheir income.

Funding Required:P76,100Contact Person: Reynaldo Bonso

(DPO president)

To give a preview of the project proposals being developed by the 5 DPO

with the help of their CBR teams and invite prospective individuals and organi-

zations to support these proposed projects, we will feature them here:

Proposed Project: Tindahan ng Masang Concepcionanon (Variet store for

the citizens of Concepcion). The project aims to help improve livelihood

income of PWD in the Municipality of Concepcion by providing them a venue

where they could sell their individual products.

Funding Required: P126,585

Contact Person: John Rey Villarias (DPO President)

Proposed Project: Bigasan for PWD (Rice business for PWD). The proposed

Bigasan ng PWD project will address the needs of the PWD for additional income

and improvement of their living conditions. The implementation of the project

will serve as binding instrument that will promote entrepreneurship and unity

among PWD.


Contact Person: Nelson Puig (DPO President)

Proposed Project: Bamboo Craft Making. This project aims to increase

household income of at least 100 PWD members, generate employment and

sustain economic development.Funding Required: P250,000

Contact Person: Corazon Dalumpines (DPO President)

Proposed Project: Multi-purpose Canteen. This project aims to provide

DPO members an alternative source of income and a venue that is PWD-friendly

and enabling.


Contact Person: Hilaria Flores (DPO President)

Batad Persons with Disabilities Organization (BPWDO)

Association of Disabled Persons in Concepcion, Inc. (ADPCI)

San Dionisio Persons with Disabilities Organization (SANDPWDO)

Association of Persons with Disabilities in Laua-an, Inc. (APILA)

Barbaza Disabled Peoples Organization (BDPO)

(L-R) Bobby, Delia, Dionita, Fredelyn, & Rikki

Joy are the prime movers of CBR in their

municipalities

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

(4th Qtr):

October 6

Antique Provincial

Stakeholders Forum

October 29

Project Consultative meeting

with stakeholders

November 12

Iloilo Provincial Stakeholders

Forum

November 23

Joint Coordination meetingwith stakeholders

November 24-26

Effective Communication

Training

December 3

International Day of Persons

with Disabilities

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THE CBRCOORDINATORS


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San Dionisio holds

Stakeholders Forum

BY CINDY BLASURCAIn Laua-an, the CBR Stakeholders

Forum was held last July 21 and was

aended b stakeholders coming fromdierent sectors such as transportaon,senior cizens, educaon and localgovernment. In his message, the municipalmayor stressed that it is our socialobligaon to support the DPO and enablePWD to become a total person. Heexpressed his commitment to support theDPO through increased nancial assistanceand issuance of a municipal ordinanceto ensure sustainability of the disabledpeoples organizaon.

During the open forum and expression

of commitment, Department of Educaon

stakeholders expressed their willingnessto advocate for PWD through informaondisseminaon. One of them even said thatshe will suggest that a topic in handingstudents with disabilies be included inthe In-service training (INSET) for teachers.The municipal local government ocercommied to treat PWD fairl - without

discriminaon and help in lobbing forfunding in the Sangguniang Bayan. Thetransport group leader was willing to give

fare discount to PWD passengers.CBR Stakeholders Forum in Barbaza

was held on Jul 23. Aer the words ofwelcome given by Hon. Ruperto Marquez-ABC President, Mayor Francisco gave hervery inspiring message to the DPO andPWD sector.

The dierent presentaons weredone by MSWDO Prechie Alavata and themembers of the CBR Team. The newly-elected Barbaza DPO ocers were veraenve and the expressed greathappiness for having been given

aenon b the local government

unit. During the UMWAD Projectorientaon, HI sta Edward Elloemphasized that Barbaza is oneof the onl 3 municipaliesimplemenng CBR in the wholeprovince of Anque and forwhich everyone must be proudof.

BY JAYROSE PLANA

A municipal stakeholders forum

was held on July 16, 2010 at Nicomedes

R. Tubar, Sr. Naonal High School, San

Dionisio. The objecves of the forum

were to raise awareness on CBR program;

support on-going collaborave eorts

to develop PWD; and strengthen local

partnership with dierent stakeholders.

The acvit was organized b

San Dionisio Persons with Disabilies

Organizaon (SANDPWDO), a communit-based Disabled Peoples Organizaon in

the municipalit. Over eight (8) idenable

stakeholders including Local and Barangay

Government Units, Department of

Educaon, non-government organizaons

(NGO), business and religious sectors

aended the forum that strengthened

local partnership and encouraged public

parcipaon in rural development

eorts.

Mrs. Sharene Angelie

Pudot, Municipal Social and

Development Ocer said that the

forum being a earl acvit was

important because consultaons were

key ingredients in the achievement

of goals. The forum calls for unity

of purpose, and commit-ment of all

stakeholders towards the development

of the disability sector, she stated.

The CBR and SANDPWDOs accom-plishments, updates and future plans

were presented. During the open forum,

the PWD raised their concerns on lack of

nancial support from the baranga and

municipal levels. At the end of the acvit,

the dierent stakeholders gave their joint

commitment and support towards the

development and welfare of the PWD.

CBR Stakeholders Forum in Barbaza and Laua-an


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Budget Development Workshop

Joint Coordination Meeting

Mr. Jasper Rom, UMWAD Project Man-

ager facilitated a CBR training for coordinators

and UMWAD project team last August 16-17,

2010 at Max Restaurant, Iloilo City. The train-

ing was part of the commitment of Mr. Rom

to share his knowledge and skills parcularl

on CBR aer parcipang in the CBR Training

of Trainers at APCD in Bangkok, Thailand lastJune 7-18, 2010.

The highlight of the training was the pre-

sentaon and training facilitaon of each par-

cipant on randoml selected topics related to

CBR which were discussed during the training.

Mr. Rom then awarded his Pasalubong pack-

age which he brought during his internaonal

trip to the best presenters during the training.

It was fun to know that the parcipants had

learned from the training. They are expectedto share the ideas and insights back to their re-

specve communies.

On August 18-20, 2010, the DPO project

proposals which were developed by the

group, were reviewed with emphasis on the

developing the budget requirements

for each proposal. The acvit was

held at the Westown Hotel, Iloilo City

and aended b 24 parcipants from

the ve target municipalies. The

workshop was ver essenal to assistthe DPO in nalizing their budget

according to the acvit as planned

related to their chosen livelihood. The

3-da workshop ended with a nal

dra of their project proposals to be

submied to their LGU for further review and

to prospecve agencies for possible funding

support.

Handicap Internaonal (HI) is an

independent internaonal aid organisaon

working in situaons of povert and exclusion

conict and disaster.

Working alongside persons with

disabilies and other vulnerable groups

throughout the world, our acon and

tesmon are focused on responding to

their essenal needs, improving their living

condions and promong respect for thei

dignity and their fundamental rights.

With a network of eight naona

associaons (USA, Belgium, Canada, France

Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and UK)

Handicap Internaonal, founded in 1982 andco-recipient of the Nobel Peace prize in 1997

has programs in 60 countries and acts in both

emergenc and development situaons.

DPO leaders from the ve target

municipalies aended the recentl concluded

Joint Coordinaon Meeng on Jul 30, 2010 at

the Nutrion Centre Conference Hall of Iloilo

Cit. Other parcipants include LGU ocials

and representaves from the two provinces of

Iloilo and Anque (councilors, social workers,

CBR Coordinators) Highlights of the meeng

include updang of acvies and presenng of

future plans as well the issues and concern of

individual DPO. Mr. Lazaro Pengla, PSWDO of

Anque also presented updates and plans for

the PWD of the province. Overall, the meeng

has set clear direcon to UMWAD project thru

the planned acvies for the month of August

to December 2010.

12th Floor, Valero Tower, 122 Valero St.,

Salcedo Village , Maka Cit, Philippines 1223

[email protected]

www.handicapinternaonal.ph

UMWAD PROJECTOFFICE

56 Quezon St., Arevalo

Iloilo City, Philippines 5000

Tel. (+63 33) 501-9690

Project Manager: Jasper Rom; Inclusive Local

Devt. Ocer: Edward Ello; Field Administra-

ve Assistant: Sheila Arroo; Training Ocer:

Jonathan Lumogdang, Community Organiz-

ers: Cind Blasurca, Jarose Plana, Raph

Imperial; Driver: Lndon Fonveros;

Oce keeper: Rosie Pernia

PROJECT STAFF:

BY EDWARD ELLO

New Staff on BoardAer the tedious hiring proces

undertaken b the project, we have nallfound our new training ocer, in the personof Jonathan Lumogdang. Jonas, as he isfondly called by colleagues, was previouslyconnected to various developmenNGO closely working for women, youthsherfolks, farmers, transport and seniocizens.

As a training ocer, he would takethe lead in developing training designand modules responsive to the connuedenhancement of the assisted Disabled

Peoples Organizaons (DPO).For almost 17 ears in NGO work

he developed a wide arra of expersewhich includes strong background inproject development, micro-nancingcommunit organizing, cooperavemanagement, designing and conducngof training programs and organizaonadevelopment.

CBR Team on Training

umwad project newsletter october 2010

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